San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad
The San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad (reporting mark SLRG) is a class III railroad operating in Colorado.
 | |
 Diesel engine SLRG #115 in Alamosa on October 22, 2012 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Alamosa, Colorado |
| Reporting mark | SLRG |
| Locale | Colorado |
| Dates of operation | 2003–Present |
| Predecessor | Denver & Rio Grande Western, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 154 miles (248 kilometres) |
| Other | |
| Website | San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad |
The SLRG began operations in 2003 using 154 miles of former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks on three lines radiating from Alamosa, Colorado. The SLRG operates an eclectic variety of equipment from the SD90MAC to 100-year-old steam locomotives. Steam engine #18 is sometimes found pulling freight, and also modern dome passenger cars on excursion trains.
- Alamosa east to Walsenburg, Colorado (over La Veta Pass) where it intersects with the Union Pacific Railroad
- Alamosa south to Antonito, Colorado where it meets the narrow gauge Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
- Alamosa west to South Fork, Colorado
The railroad meets the San Luis Central Railroad at Sugar Junction in Monte Vista, Colorado.
The railroad was established by RailAmerica following the divestiture of the tracks by the Union Pacific (after acquisition of the D&RGW through merger with the Southern Pacific). Holding company Permian Basin Railways purchased the railroad from RailAmerica in 2005.
Heritage railroad
A subsidiary heritage railroad, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, operates passenger excursion trains on the line crossing the Sangre de Christo Mountains to the town of La Veta during the summer months.[1]
These lines were freight only for decades under the previous railroad owners, making it popular with railroad enthusiasts who log rare mileage. The route over Veta Pass offers historic views inaccessible by road, and outdoor events are held at the Fir Concert Grounds near highest point on the railroad.[2]
References
- "Rio Grande Scenic Railroad website". Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- "Historic & Scenic Colorado Trains | Colorado.com". www.colorado.com. 4. Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2018.CS1 maint: location (link)
